OPEN DOOR, WARMINSTER
Annual Report 2025
Abstract Chairmans’ statement, finance statement and details
Deborah Gogarty Volunteer Open Door, Warminster (charity reg no. 1207590) warminsteropendoor@gmail.com
Chair’s statement
Along with so many other voluntary organisations, we would not be able to offer the Chat Cafes to our visitors without our loyal volunteers so it was with great appreciation that we received the Warminster Journal Community Award in recognition of their loyal service.
It is essential before all else to thank all the volunteers who have worked tirelessly in the past year; Trustees and volunteers at all the Cafes, both current and retired for their enthusiasm and energy in making our service to the community so successful. Without them we could not have provided the warm welcome each guest receives.
It’s been hugely gratifying to be able to provide our volunteers with a tangible reward for their contributions through the Room 2 Reward Programme, which provides free hotel stays and short holidays. We only receive a small allocation of tickets and so our recipients are selected randomly to be as fair as possible. We would love to give one
to everyone!
This year’s winners are Rachel Evans, pictured left with Marion and Vicki McGavin and Graham Southey pictured above with Debs Gogarty and Marion Barton
We have welcomed new volunteers and a Trustee while waving
goodbye to a few but still require a few more to make the tea and chat. Anyone interested is free to drop by, ask questions and see what we do.
Of course, to be able to offer the service that we do, I must also thank the funders and donors who have enabled us to hire the comfort of The Athenaeum each week and provide the tea, coffee and biscuits, including Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation, Morrisons. Southern Co-op, Warminster Area Board - and the very kind donation by the later Graham Barnard, one of our very first guests.
1
Our Thursday Café, which was our starting point almost six years ago, continues to welcome thirty to forty guests each week, enjoying companionship and a good natter. Representatives from a variety of external organisations occasionally pop in to share their knowledge and encourage the take up of the available support.
After learning just how hearing loss isolated people, a team of volunteers and Trustees discussed the need for specialist equipment with a Wiltshire Officer from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Team. She advised us what we could purchase and, thanks to a grant from Warminster Town Council, we were able to purchase monitors to enable people to hear conversations around the table. We also learnt that a Warminster person skilled in British Sign Language might be willing to teach us the basics of the language. Having taken the course, some of us have very limited skills in signing.
Both Friday morning Cafes have welcomed new guests and offered them much welcomed support allowing them to share concerns and struggles. Although conversations can also be very often be lighthearted giving the opportunity for laughter!e opportunity for laughter
The Prostate group continues to thrive and has welcomed new members throughout the year. Raising awareness of this cancer and reducing any stigma around it, is a priority for the group so we were delighted when Warminster Rugby Club agreed to promote the group free of charge. An eye-catching advert is now positioned pitch side.
Working in and for the community, both in the town and villages, we will always seek to increase and improve our services in the coming year, welcoming all who need a listening ear and a comforting cuppa.
This year marks the end of my tenure as Chairman of the charity. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be Chair of this organisation since its inception. Thank you to everyone for their continuing support and I look forward to supporting the charity for the next year as a volunteer.
Marion Barton, Chair, Open Door Warminster
Treasurers Report
This report covers the 12 months from 01 January to 31 December 2025.
Income was £11,509 down from £15, 528 in the previous year. This was due primarily to a reduced number grant applications and one-off donations in 2025.
Our expenditure was £10,975 down on £12,262 from the previous year. This reduction was down primarily to reduced rental charges, and reduced social media and marketing expenditure.
We finished the year with a net surplus of £9,320 which represents approximately 82% of 2026’s operating costs. This means that we will have time to focus on our strategy for funding in 2027 without too much concern for 2026.
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025
Charity name: Open Door, Warminster
Charity registration number: 1207590
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people in the Warminster and surrounding villages area from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society. For the purpose of this clause ‘socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or parts of society, because of one or more of the following factors: mental ill-health in particular, but not exclusively, mental ill-health caused by loneliness, grief/bereavement or cancer. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The operation of drop-in support groups known as chat cafes. Providing peer support through enhanced social connection and signposting to additional resources. |
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.8 | The Trustees confirm that to the best of their knowledge they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the commission's public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The charity is run entirely by volunteers. We conservatively estimate the annual contribution in hours as c1,800 or 258 working days which at real living wage costs equals c£38,000. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | In 2025 the charity ran 98 separate chat cafes. The Thursday social group attracts the largest audience of 40+ attendees of diverse ages and backgrounds. The cancer and bereavement groups provide local support to those affected by life changing situations. Before the Chat Cafes were in operation, people had to travel to receive support. The newest group which supports men affected by prostate cancer continues to attract new attendees. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | 2025 was a good year for fundraising with two large grants (one split over both 2025 and 2026) combined with donations bringing in £11,509. The charity finished the year with a surplus which ensured 2026 activities could continue without risk |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference |
||
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity finished the year with a surplus of £9,320.12. This was a result of successful fundraising and grant achievements throughout the year. The charity has established good relations with local stakeholders such as the Town Council which actively support the charity’s aims. The surplus provides the charity with approx. 80% of its budget for 2026. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity has £2,400 designated as reserves, which represents three months’ fixed operating costs. It is held in an instant access current account. It provides a buffer that will allow it to continue to provide services should: · A source of income, e.g. a grant, is not renewed. · The need to fund short-term deficits in a cash budget, e.g. money may need to be spent before a funding grant is received. The Board reviews the level of reserves needed to ensure that they are adequate to fulfil our continuing obligations on an annual basis. |
Financial Review continued
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Amount of reserves held |
Para 1.22 | £2,400 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The charity is wholly reliant on grant funders and donors. It does not charge for its services as it does not wish money to be a barrier for anyone needing the benefits it provides. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A. |
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Last year felt more pressurised in terms of the availability of suitable grants with grant funders being more cautious about the terms of their grants. The charity reviews its cash flow each month and establishes an annual strategic fundraising plan. The Charity is also struggling with engaging new volunteers, placing pressure on the existing team. Efforts to recruit new members are underway. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Structure, governance and management
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
Charitable Incorporated Organisation | |
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution dated 20 March 2024 |
| How is the charity constituted? (unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are elected annually at the AGM and, from the Board, volunteers for Chair, Treasurer and Secretary are agreed. New Trustees are co-opted onto the Board as required during the year. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Open Door Warminster |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Charity’s principal address | 14 Manor Road Upton Lovell Warminster Wiltshire BA12 0JW |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Barton | Chair | Trustee Board | |
| Samantha O’Sullivan | Trustee Board | ||
| Mark Wilson | Trustee Board | ||
| Rachel Cox | Secretary | 27/03-30/06 | |
| David Cox | Treasurer | 27/03-17/10 | |
| Michael Tansey | Trustee Board | ||
| Sue Chinnock | Trustee Board | ||
| John Alpin | Trustee Board | ||
| David White | Trustee Board | ||
| Mike Read | Treasurer | 17/10-31/12 | Trustee Board |
| Debs Gogarty | Secretary | 01/01-27/03 | Trustee Board |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity | N/A |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
Declarations:
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees.
Signature Full name Position Date
Open Door Warminster 1207590 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 01/01/2025 31/12/2025 To from
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Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Individual Donation 400 - - 400 -
General Donations 2,710 - - 2,710 -
Warminster Area Board Grant 3,000 - - 3,000 -
5,000 - - 5,000 -
Wiltshire Community Foundation Grant
Donation incorrectly processed in 2024 400 - - 400 -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
11,510 - - 11,510 -
AR)
A2 Asset and investment
sales, (see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 11,510 - - 11,510 -
A3 Payments
Rent 6,600 - - 6,600 -
Refreshments 630 - - 630 -
Assets 738 - - 738 -
Marketing / PR 2,573 - - 2,573 -
Insurance 247 - - 247 -
Volunteer Materials 137 - - 137 -
Phone 50 - - 50 -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total [ 10,975 ] - - 10,975 -
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 10,975 - - 10,975 -
Net of receipts/(payments) 535 - - 535 -
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end - - - -
Cash funds this year end 535 - - 535 -
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CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
15/04/2026
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Details Details Cash in Bank Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 9,320 - - - - - 9,320 - Agreement Error OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) Date of approval |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
15/04/2026
2